The Lions and the Sharks have a derby date to kick off their Super Rugby campaigns at Emirates Airline Park - the scene of the hosts' 2017 heartbreak.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 05: Malcolm Marx of the Lions during the Super Rugby Final match between Emirates Lions and Crusaders at Emirates Airline Park on August 05, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Wessel Oosthuizen/Gallo Images)

The Lions begin a new Super Rugby era against derby rivals the Sharks at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday – the scene of their 2017 final heartache.

Kwagga Smith was sent off in the first half as the Crusaders took the crown back to New Zealand with a 25-17 win, despite a late Lions fightback.

It ended coach Johan Ackermann’s successful tenure on a cruel low.

The 47-year-old left to take over English Premiership side Gloucester, taking son Ruan with him for good measure.

He has been replaced by Swys de Bruin, who must start afresh.

The Sharks were the Lions’ vanquished quarter-final opponents last year, after stuttering to the end of a previously successful campaign.

Robert du Preez’s men sneaked into the play-offs just a point behind the second-placed Stormers, despite losing five regular season matches.

Time will tell whether they can fulfill their early promise from 2017 after ringing the changes in the off-season.